Books

Spotlighting Serial Killers

Media continues promoting copycats

In a rare break with its constant promoting of serial killers, The Arizona Republic ran a reader's letter in tune with the JPFO "Don't Inspire Evil" campaign, which calls for a new journalism ethics guideline:

"Refrain from gratuitous or repetitive use of spree killer or jihadi names and images."

The media has refused to even consider the guideline. The letter writer goes further:

"Phoenix serial killers do not deserve news coverage! Criminologists have confirmed that publicity motivates serial killers. Ten years ago horrible crimes happened to random victims who could have been you or me, or much worse, our daughter or son. I was heartbroken to see The Republic give to the killers exactly what they want: five days of attention.

"As a city and a nation, how an we stop the creation of serial killers until we stop making stars of the criminals who take innocent lives? The media understand society's fascination with violence and murder. They exploit this obsession through excessive coverage.

"Next time, prior to succumbing to sensationalism, please use some restraint and consider the impact upon victims, both past and future." -Anne V.

About the Author

Freelance writer Alan Korwin is a founder and past president of the Arizona Book Publishing Association. With his wife Cheryl he operates Bloomfield Press, the largest producer and distributor of gun-law books in the country. Here writing as "The Uninvited Ombudsman," Alan covers the day's stories as they ought to read. Read more.